Swansea RFC Director of Rugby Richard Lancaster has confirmed that he will be stepping down at the end of the season bringing to end a 5-year spell at the Club.
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Richard has decided that now is the right time to move on and concentrate on his new employment opportunities as well as spending more time with his young family.
Director of rugby Lancaster has done an outstanding job over the past 5 season that has enabled the club to build a squad, keeping Swansea above the relegation argument despite a testing start.
“I have enjoyed the position immensely, but I feel it’s a good time to hand the reigns over and to pursue other projects,” said Lancaster.
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“I am proud of what we have achieved at Swansea and grateful for all the support I have received. It has been a great experience and I’d like to think we are all handing over the team in decent shape. When we started we all bought into a five year plan that would show sustainable and gradual improvements. The work the Board and the benefactors have done often goes unnoticed but to have installed a gym at St Helens, refurbished the floodlights, changing rooms and physio facilities along with redecorating the entire clubhouse and still managing to find funds to make sure the boys have the best of everything, that is the stuff that not many people notice but without it, the team wouldn’t have developed in the way it has. ”
Richard has recently taken up a role as Head of Business Development and Marketing with Sports & Wellbeing Analytics Limited, the company behind the PROTECHT microchipped mouthguard which aims at reducing concussion and improving head health in rugby. “It’s something I’m passionate about as I genuinely feel it can help make the game safer” he said.
Swansea RFC, will be sad to see him depart at the end of the season.
Chairmen Stephen Hughes said, “Richard has done a phenomenal job,”
“Coaching is a testing profession and there has been a lot of stress for Richard over the last couple of years, with the club competing against clubs with more resources, established squads and the threat of 4 teams being relegated this season”
“The work that Richard has done behind the scenes to build relationship with the Ospreys and a range of local community clubs has enabled us to progress year on year”
Richard said “The season isn’t over yet though, with 5 games remaining we want to continue with our good form and as a group we are aiming for the club’s highest leagues finish in a number of years, it would be great to see supporters old and new down at St Helens for our remaining games”
Over his tenure Richard has been well supported by a range of coaches, physio’s and back room staff to ensure that the squad were able to perform on the field.
“It’s a bit of a cliché but there are truly too many people to thank from my time with the team. Stephen has been brilliant throughout and I’ve been lucky to work closely with Whaps and Cloughie who have I learned so much from and have always felt their unwavering support. I’ve loved working with Ben, Rhod, Loader, Larko, Pross and more recently Gus, Nicky and Liam along with all of the guys at the Ospreys. The sponsors, volunteers and supporters have been brilliant but my biggest thank you is to the players who have played for the club over the past five seasons. What a great group and I genuinely feel honoured and privileged to have worked with them all.”
The Club have already begun the search for a new Head Coach to continue with the excellent form shown this season and hoping to be in a position to announce something in the coming days.
The club is extremely grateful to Richard for everything that he has achieved over the past 5 years and wish him well with his next opportunity.
